Ultrasonographic Characteristics in Patients Clinically Diagnosed with Threatened Abortion
Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn MD, MPH, PhD*, Suwannee Buranawattanachoke MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok
Objective : To determine ultrasonographic appearances in pregnant women clinically diagnosed with
threatened abortion.
Design : Cross-sectional study
Materials and Methods : Seven hundred and seventy six pregnant women clinically diagnosed with threatened
abortion and receiving ultrasonographic examination were enrolled. Data on ultrasonographic characteristics
were obtained from records at the Maternal-fetal Medicine unit. Pregnancy outcomes were reviewed from
medical records.
Results : The ultrasonographic findings demonstrated 328 (42.3%) viable pregnancy, 178 (22.9%) embryonic
death, 176 (22.7%) anembryonic pregnancy, 25 (3.2%) incomplete abortion, 24 (3.1%) complete abortion,
seven (0.9%) molar pregnancy, four (0.5%) ectopic pregnancy, and 34 (4.4%) inconclusive finding. Two
hundred and sixty viable pregnancies were available for follow-up and revealed that 229 (88.1%) eventually
delivered while 31 (11.9%) ended up with abortion. The two groups were not significantly different regarding
age, parity, history of abortion, and gestational age at diagnosis.
Conclusion : Ultrasonographic findings in patients clinically diagnosed with threatened abortion demon-
strated viable pregnancy in nearly half of the cases. Transvaginal ultrasonography is useful in establishing
definite diagnosis and appropriate treatment among these patients.
Keywords : Threatened abortion, Transvaginal ultrasonography
